SkyPix

A digital photographic storybook of clouds, weather and water by Roger Edwards.

True Rope Tornado

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Born under a ragged updraft, this diffusely sunlit tube enthralled eyewitnesses with its protracted display of vortex stretching, right on through this stage, which may be the narrowest full-length strand of tornadic condensation you'll ever see.  The phrases "rope-out" and "rope tornado" are used often in discussions about storm spotting and chasing; seldom will they ever apply more truthfully … [Read more...]

Winding Road to the Rain

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An inspirational scene unfolded on the lee side of Dallas Divide, Colorado, on the back side of a broad area of rain, snow, sleet and mixed precipitation, itself following a midday squall line.  I can report with confidence:  there was no pot o'gold down there at the bottom of the winding road.  Yet we discovered treasure beyond measure, in the form of the gentle yet unmistakable presence of the … [Read more...]

Lone Star Altocumulus

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A sky well-decorated with altocumulus stratiformis clouds forms a nicely textured backdrop to the Texas state symbol—the lone star—carved out of a limestone wall.  Standing still and observing the cloud motions past the edge of a fixed object, such as the upper wall, also the star in this case, offer an insightful appreciation for the evolving fluid above. 4 WSW Alanreed TX (26 Sep 18) Looking … [Read more...]

Morning Mirroring in Mountains

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Taylor Park Reservoir did a fine job of reflecting a sky nicely textured with cumulus forms: mediocris, humulis and fractocumulus, set above the northern reaches of the Collegiate Range, rendering the entire view into a splendidly symmetric fold.  Although the lake level was lower than normal, thanks to drought and summertime evaporation, plenty of water remained for success of both photography … [Read more...]

Moist Autumn Twilight in the Green Mountains

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Following a day of rain, the stratus decks rose just enough to expose the tops of the Green Mountains to the east and southeast, while scud (fractostratus) brushed the upper hillsides while riding the northerly, post-frontal flow.  Somber, subdued twilight scenes such as this don't bring me down; indeed, I find them simultaneously refreshing and calming to experience, an immersive and multisensory … [Read more...]

Foggy Forest, Smugglers Notch

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Smugglers Notch is a pass through the northern Green Mountains subprovince of the Appalachians, through which illicit trade with Canada was common from the time of the British-American conflicts through early 20th-century Prohibition.  Days like this surely helped to cover such activities, to the extent smugglers were willing to undertake the route in wet, slippery conditions.  Snow was falling at … [Read more...]